MP threatens by-election over Heathrow

The political crisis engulfing the coalition over Heathrow intensified as Zac
Goldsmith, a high profile Conservative backbencher, threatened to trigger an
immediate by-election if the Tories drop their opposition to a third runway.

Mr Goldsmith, MP for Richmond Park, told The Daily Telegraph he was ready to desert the party if it ditched its pledge to block Heathrow’s expansion.

“I promised before the election that if the Conservatives perform a U-turn on Heathrow, I would trigger an immediate by-election so that local voters can have their say,” he said.

“Clearly, I would honour that commitment.”

Mr Goldsmith snatched the seat from the Liberal Democrats at the last election and a by-election in a highly marginal constituency - which is under the flight-path for Heathrow - would not only be unwelcome news for David Cameron, but also expose further Tory divisions on airport expansion.

In recent weeks the party has been beset by infighting. Boris Johnson, London’s mayor has accused Mr Cameron of “pussyfooting around” on the issue.

Last week, in an article in The Daily Telegraph, Tim Yeo, a one-time opponent of Heathrow’s expansion, reversed his position and threw his weight behind a third runway.

Grant Shapps, the housing minister who is tipped for promotion in the reshuffle, has also broken ranks on Heathrow, calling for a rethink.

He said the Government should examine all options for expanding airport capacity if it wanted to kick start the economy.

It is believed that similar views are being expressed privately by other senior ministers as well, including George Osborne, the Chancellor, even if a change of direction could be delayed until the launch of the next party manifesto.

However last month Justine Greening, the Transport Secretary and MP for Putney, which also lies beneath the flight path, warned Mr Cameron it would be “difficult” for her to remain in the Cabinet if the Government had a change of heart on Heathrow.

This has already fuelled speculation that she could be moved away from Transport in the Government reshuffle.

Within the next few weeks the Government will launch a “call for evidence” on airport policy in the South East.

BAA, Heathrow’s operator, will be allowed to press its case for a third runway, triggering fears among some environmentalists that Tory opposition to expansion is wavering.

But this would be unacceptable to Mr Goldsmith. “I also said that I would not stand as a Conservative if the Conservatives allow room for a third runway in their next manifesto.”

Earlier, speaking on The World At One, Mr Goldsmith warned that the party would suffer if it changed its policy on Heathrow.

"I think if we enter the next election with a manifesto which does not rule out expansion of Heathrow I think the Conservative Party will be very badly defeated in areas beneath the flight path.

"I personally would not want to stand as a Conservative candidate on a manifesto that is ambiguous on this issue. I think we need to be very very clear and honest with voters."